Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

RS3119

Incident date

February 25, 2018

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52034, 36.36494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed, including a woman, and others were injured in air and artillery strikes on Hazza, local media reported. Sources blamed the Syrian and Russian alliance for the raids.

Syrian Coalition reported that members of the “Syrian defence forces [were] working to rescue civilians in the city [due to] missiles, as part of the systematic bombing campaign launched by the regime forces on the cities and towns of Al-Ghouta.”

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4079

Incident date

August 26, 2019

Location

Abdita, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two children and their mother were reported killed, and others injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Abdita in Idlib on August 26th, 2019.

Local sources identified the three victims as Jad Mahmoud Al-Ismail (child), Ahmed Mahmoud Al-Ismail (child) and Dalia Ahmed Fadl (most likely their mother).

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “The Syrian regime killed two children along with their mother in Abdita village in Idlib: The children brothers Ahmad and Jad Mahmoud al Ismail were killed along with their mother as fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on Abdita village in the southern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 26”.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also blamed the regime.

However, Shaam said that Russian warplanes and helicopters were also active in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female Mother of Ahmad and Jad killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1815

Incident date

January 3, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as three civilians were killed, inducing a pregnant woman and her unborn child, and up to three civilians were wounded, following an alleged Russian and or Syrian regime airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, local media reported. 

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame with some attributing blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed the Syrian regime. One source even blamed both belligerents for the raid.

According to @MousaAlomar, residential homes were struck in the raid. Photographic evidence showed the extent of devastation to the homes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rawan Hamo
Adult female pregnant killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • The extent of destruction to civilian homes following an alleged airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd January 2017. (via @Aleppojourn)
  • A civilian casualty in the aftermath of an alleged airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd January 2017. (via @aboqdama123)
  • The extent of destruction to civilian homes following an alleged airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd January 2017. (via @RozanaFM)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The extent of destruction to civilian homes and a wounded civilian following an alleged airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd January 2017. (via @MousaAlomar)
  • A wounded civilian in the aftermath of an alleged airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd January 2017. (via @Mojahedaboaljod)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A wounded civilian in the aftermath of an alleged airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd January 2017. (via @Mojahedaboaljod)
  • An exploded artillery shell in the aftermath of an alleged airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd January 2017. (via @Mojahedaboaljod)
  • The aftermath of an alleged airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 3rd January 2017. (via @Mojahedaboaljod)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Khan Sheikhoun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.440813, 36.6493607. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1933

Incident date

February 28, 2017

Location

ترملا, Tramla, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5250124, 36.4741687 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three members of one family were killed – including a father, daughter and granddaughter – and others were wounded, following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tramla, local media reported. All sources except Idlib Media Centre – who said the regime was responsible – attributed blame to Russia. 

According to sources, a vacuum missile struck the residential homes in the neighbourhood, killing three civilians from one family.

Graphic and distressing images published show the baby with its skull mostly destroyed, while the man is almost unrecognisable.

The incident occured during the day.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tarmala, 28th February 2017. (via Wala Bajasir)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Hamoud al-Kashto, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tarmala, 28th February 2017. (via Wala Bajasir)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Hamoud al-Kashto, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tarmala, 28th February 2017. (via Wala Bajasir)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Tarmala, 28th February 2017. (via Wala Bajasir)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tramla (ترملا), for which the generic coordinates are:35.5250124,36.4741687. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between February 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2325

Incident date

July 5, 2017

Location

السخنة/ كدير, al-Sokhna/Kadir, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local media, a family of three – a married couple and their child – was killed by Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes in Homs, though the exact location is unclear among the sources.

Several sources reported the death of the three civilians, a man, a woman and their child, and many identified them by name.

However, while the Violations Documentation Centre (VDC) reported that the family was killed in al-Sokhna in Homs, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) said that the family was killed by warplanes firing missiles on Kadir village, also in Homs.

Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, though the incident remains contested as SN4HR attributed blame to the “Syrian-Russian alliance”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mouhammad Basam al-Salibi was reportedly among the victims of the contested airstrikes in al-Sokhna, Homs, July 5th 2017 (via VDC)
  • Mouhammad Basam al-Salibi, his wife and his son - possibly the child on the picture - were among the victims of the contested airstrikes in al-Sokhna, Homs, July 5th 2017 (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2396

Incident date

August 20, 2017

Location

مخيم الخريطة, Al-Kharita camp, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.47132, 40.0090642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that “three citizens were killed in Deir Ezzor Province, by bombing [may or may not be Russian] which, targeted a camp for displaced people from Al-Sukhnah, in Al-Kharita Desert in the western countryside of Deir Ezzor”.

The source was unclear as to whether the warplanes were Russian or not, but did not offer an alternative.

There were no reports of wounded.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between August 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2696

Incident date

November 6, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three children were killed due to air and artillery strikes in Abu Kamal. Sources reported that both Russia and the Syrian regime were to blame.

It is clear that the raids were either Russian or Syrian regime and artillery shelling was also used in the raid.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the Syrian regime alone were to blame. The Syrian Affair however reported that there were “unidentified operations” having been conducted in the vicinity.

One source, AJA.syria, reported that 40 civilians were killed on the boarder. It was the only source to put the death toll that high and Airwars believes it to be an estimate number of the day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A news bulletin reporting on the raid on Abu Kamal 6th Nov 2017. (via AJA.syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2827

Incident date

December 29, 2017

Location

معرة النعمان, Ma'arat Nu'man, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6477913, 36.6591881 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as three civilians were killed, and three to five others were wounded, in airstrikes which struck a residential neighbourhood and market in Ma’arat Nu’man, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes.

Dw News also reported that a hospital was partially damaged in the raid, however they were the only source to make this allegation.

Enabbaladi – who blamed the Syrian regime – reported that “Assad forces bombed the city of Ma’arat al-Nu’man, which left victims and wounded civilians, in addition to the destruction of civilian homes”. They added that the “shelling killed two civilians and wounded three as a result of the bombardment of the city by the “Sukhoi 22″ aircraft.” Despite attributing blame to the regime, the aircraft identified is Russian.

The planes, according to multiple sources, struck the vicinity with four high explosive missiles. Overall, one local media source reported that there were ten bombardments.

Civil Defence teams worked to retrieve the dead and wounded and transported them to medical points.

One source reported that “dozens” were wounded overall in Idlib on December 29th, and as many as 22 were killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abd al-Qader Samir Skaf, killed in airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, 29th December 2017. (via VDC-SY)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sate Sabouh, killed in airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, 29th December 2017. (via VDC-SY)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, 29th December 2017. (via Enabbaladi)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, 29th December 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • A child being pulled from the rubble in the immediate aftermath of airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, 29th December 2017. (via @aboalhodaalhoms)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abd al-Qader Samir Skaf, killed in airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, 29th December 2017. (via Husam Qamou’a)
  • Abd al-Qader Samir Skaf, killed in airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, 29th December 2017. (via Husam Qamou’a)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sate Sabouh, killed in airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, 29th December 2017. (via Ramiz Mustafa)
  • A child rescued from the rubble in the immediate aftermath of airstrikes on Ma'arat Nu'man, 29th December 2017. (via Syria Civil Defence Idlib The White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]